Fri Sep 20 08:04:00 UTC 2024: ## Madrasah Teacher Assistant Faces Six Charges of Child Sexual Assault

**SEREMBAN:** A 20-year-old madrasah teacher assistant, Muhammad Fawzun Azim Ismail, has been charged with six counts of sexually assaulting four boys aged between 10 and 13 years old at a madrasah in Kuala Pilah. The alleged offenses took place in 2023.

Fawzun pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include four counts under Section 14(a) and two counts under Section 14(b) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years imprisonment and whipping.

The prosecution, represented by Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Balkis Zunaidi, requested that Fawzun be denied bail. If granted, a bail amount of RM30,000 for each charge was proposed, with conditions including no contact with the victims or witnesses, monthly reporting to the nearest police station, surrender of his passport, and maintaining easy accessibility.

Fawzun, who was unrepresented, requested a lower bail amount due to his studies at a government skills centre. However, he was unable to provide proof of his enrollment. Judge Datin Surita Budin instructed Fawzun’s father to provide the necessary documentation to the court for consideration of a lower bail at a later date.

Bail was subsequently set at RM12,000 for each charge with one surety. The case has been adjourned to October 30 for remention and to allow the accused to engage legal counsel.

This latest arrest follows the recent trial of three other teacher assistants from the same madrasah, who were charged with 14 counts of sexually assaulting five children aged between nine and 11.

These charges stem from a raid conducted by the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department on 20 charity homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan associated with GISB Holdings. The raid resulted in the rescue of 402 children and teenagers, including 201 boys and 201 girls aged from one to 17.

The investigation into these cases is ongoing.

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